St. Thomas Aquinas: Natural Law Theory; Just War Theory

Part I of Essay
Natural Law is a set of morals, based on what are assumed to be the everlasting characteristics of human nature, that serves as a standard for evaluating conduct and civil laws. It is considered essentially enduring and astronomically relevant, because of the double meanin ....

Part II of Essay
.... the Natural Law." Its dictates correspond to the basic bias of human nature. Thus, according to Aquinas it is possible to distinguish good from evil by the natural light of reason. Just War, based on Roman thought, is the traditional Roman Catholic position on fighting a war. It lays down the criteria for fighting a war. Just cause, declares, waged by legitimate political authority. War must be started as last resort. Just methods must be used in war. Must expect flourishing outcome of war. Results must be less evil that if war not und ....